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Pyrenees from Santander to Barcelona. Anyone traversed it before? Looking to do it end of next month or so. Any thoughts/ideas?
Can't speak to that route specifically, but I've cycled South from France, through the Pyreness to Santiago d/C, then driven to Santander.
Sounds like an excellent idea, which I'm sure someone must have done.
My thoughts:
- The roads and scenery round Santander are epic.
- Pyrenees weather can be tough and sudden. There will be rain and fog at some point, and it can get cold fast. But it also clears fast too.
- Do some research into time of year, my feeling is you'd want to do it sooner rather than later.
- Hug / ride the Pyrenees - south of there is a bit dull and flat (ie if you drew an imaginary line across from Leon to Pamplona - although Burgos is nice, and on a motorbike you could do some cruising to visit some of the random little towns with epic churches and Cathedrals, etc. - literally there are places with ancient Cathedrals which probably have populations in the hundreds).
- That whole region has amazing cities perfect for stop-offs and rest days - in particular Bilbao (city walk, market, Guggenheim, food) Pamplona (old ramparts, pintxos, massive cuts of meat, concert if someone you like is playing the stadium).
- Anywhere within reach of the pilgrims route will have super cheap accommodation and pilgrims menus for ~€10 - which importantly are served earlier, so you can eat dinner before 9pm if you're not used to it.
- My gut for the start would be coast roads Santander > Bilbao > San Sebastian > Pyrenees proper switching between France / Spain e.g. St Jean Pied Port / Roncesvalles > Pamplona (rest day so you can go out for a proper dinner and booze up) > ? no idea from there ?
- The roads and scenery round Santander are epic.
hugo7-
@inchpincher amazing, thanks for the tips and direction. I'll account for the Guggenheim in there somewhere.
Thanks bru. I'm actually riding down then taking ferry to Mallorca to hang out there for a while (stop fucking around, take your bike, don't store it)
From what a local friend says, Autumn is the most stable season weather wise, but I'll be taking full waterproof textiles as precaution cos mountains = wtf is this weather.
Wasn't thinking of stopping off at Bilbao, but now you mention it, no harm in some more twisties. Pamplona is for sure though as respite.Time isn't limited per se, but thinking about where to stay, as this isn't a credit card trip but a lug towards Mallorca.
Saying that, if I get to San Sebastian and my my face is stuck in a constant smile, I reckon I'll looselyb base it on your directions and go from there.
Really appreciate the input btw, I'll probably bombard you with more questions closer to leaving.
Chak
Pyrenees from Santander to Barcelona. Anyone traversed it before? Looking to do it end of next month or so. Any thoughts/ideas?